Words: Ilídia Pinto
Photo: AORP
Portuguese jewellery is the perfect symbol of much-vaunted sustainability, a word that has entered the general lexicon in recent years but which, in the case of goldsmiths, has always been at the heart of their concerns. After all, jewellery is made from expensive precious metals, which are constantly saved and endlessly reworked in a constant circular process.
The result of ancient techniques and designs that are part of the collective imagination, such as the chain necklace, baroque earrings and the intertwined thread necklace, items of Portuguese jewellery are works of art that pass from generation to generation and that can always be renewed with more contemporary designs that meet the needs and tastes of consumers who place value on items with a history and identity.
In this way, they become timeless and eternal possessions, capable of taking on new shapes and guises while carrying with them memories of the past. Breathing new life into your great-grandmother’s locket or your grandmother’s ring is akin to reliving the emotions associated with each piece of jewellery.
It was precisely to highlight the eternity of jewellery that the Portuguese Jewellery and Watchmaking Association created the international “Portuguese Jewellery Legacy” campaign: to remind the world that behind each piece is a story that is part of the Portuguese collective imagination that the industry wants to introduce to the world, promoting the values of sustainability, fair trade and responsible consumption.
